UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'Scillonian Beauty'
Malcolm Nimmo

The reefs of the Isles of Scilly are covered with an abundance of marine life, including colourful anemones, soft corals and hydroids. Such diverse ecosystem supports a wonderful variety of colourful nudibranchs. Nudibranchs such as Coryphella Browni make interesting photographic subjects. Natural colours may also be used to enhance the subject’s background. For this image, the coloured backdrop is derived from a colony of purple jewel anemones on the reef behind the subject. Applying a relatively narrow depth of field ensures that the background is out of focus, producing an even, soft coloured texture.

Judge's comment: Current trends in macro photography underwater have seen an explosion of ‘special effects’ backgrounds produced by placing various light and colour reflecting background materials to great effect but how impressive is it to see one done not only ‘au naturel’ but also in British waters with great vision, execution and photographic clarity. A breath of fresh air.
- Peter Rowlands